Mall developer famous for bringing snow skiing to the Dubai desert is expanding his preeminent retail brand, MAF Holding, across the region, from Egypt to Oman. Company's joint venture with French hypermarket chain Carrefour has created the fastest-growing grocery chain in the Gulf and brought in nearly $1.5 billion in sales last year alone. Next up: introducing his retail-centered lifestyle to Syria. Plans for a $2 billion shopping and residential complex outside Damascus were announced in December.